Bama Central

Comeback Complete: Brian Robinson Jr. Slated to Start for Commanders

Less than seven weeks after he was shot in a botched robbery, former Alabama running back is slated to make his first NFL start for Washington.

Christopher Walsh

© Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
In this story:

Less than seven weeks after former Alabama Crimson Tide running back Brian Robinson Jr. saw his bid to be the starting running back for the Washington Redskins almost tragically derailed, he'll finally get his chance. 

According to Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network, Robinson will be in the starting lineup for the Thursday night game at Chicago (Amazon Prime, 7:15 p.m,. CT).

Shortly after it appeared that Robinson would be the team's lead running back coming out of training camp, he was shot twice during a botched robbery on Aug. 28, once in the glute and once in the knee. 

He returned to the team facility just two days after the incident, where he was warmly welcomed by teammates, and placed on the Reserve/Non-Football Injury list that meant he was out for at least four weeks. 

However, after being medically cleared, he returned to practice last week and activated to play against former Crimson Tide standout Derrick Henry and the Tennessee Titans. Robinson was introduced last and given an emotional standing ovation from fans at FedEx Field,

The rookie came off the bench and finished with nine carries for 22 yards in the 21–17 loss. After his pro debut did a jersey swap with the former Heisman Trophy winner. 

The 23-year-old from Tuscaloosa, where he attended Hillcrest High School, was selected in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft. After being behind Najee Harris on the depth chart, he started last season for the Crimson Tide and tallied 1,343 rushing yards and 14 rushing touchdowns.

See Also:

Former Crimson Tide QBs Squarely in Middle of Concussion Mess: Bama in the NFL Week 6

Bama in the NFL Week 5: Brian Robinson Jr. Makes NFL Debut

Bama in the NFL Database

Alabama Crimson Tide Players in the NFL
Tracking Active Alabama Crimson Players in the NFL
Alabama Crimson Tide Players in the NFL: Breakdown by Team
Active Alabama Crimson Tide Players in the NFL by Position
All-Time Alabama Crimson Tide Players in the NFL
All-Time Alabama Crimson Tide Players in the NFL By Team
Former Alabama Crimson Tide Players Selected in the NFL Draft
All-Time Alabama Crimson Tide Players Drafted by Round
NFL Draft: All-Time Alabama Crimson Tide Selections by NFL Teams
Alabama Crimson Tide Players Selected in the NFL Draft by Position

Want to see the Crimson Tide or other teams? SI Tickets

Published
Christopher Walsh
CHRISTOPHER WALSH

Christopher Walsh is the founder and publisher of BamaCentral, which first published in 2018. He's covered the Crimson Tide since 2004, and is the author of 26 books including Decade of Dominance, 100 Things Crimson Tide Fans Should Know and Do Before They Die, Nick Saban vs. College Football, and Bama Dynasty: The Crimson Tide's Road to College Football Immortality. He's an eight-time honoree of Football Writers Association of America awards and three-time winner of the Herby Kirby Memorial Award, the Alabama Sports Writers Association’s highest writing honor for story of the year. In 2022, he was named one of the 50 Legends of the ASWA. Previous beats include the Green Bay Packers, Arizona Cardinals and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, along with Major League Baseball’s Arizona Diamondbacks. Originally from Minnesota and a graduate of the University of New Hampshire, he currently resides in Tuscaloosa.